Electric switch



H. E. LEPPERT Npv. 2s 1926. 1,608,070

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 14, 1926 INVENTQR Henry E. L 6 art,

Patented Nov. .23, 19236.

nrraa earns HENRY E. SLEEPER-T, OF NEW BRITAIN. CONNECTICUT, ASSIG-NOR TO THE TRUMB'ULL ELECTRIC IMANUFACTURING- COMPANY, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A. COR- PORATION 01 CONNECTICUT.

ntncrnio SWITCH.

Application filed January 1 1, 1926. Serial No. 81,134.

My invention r elates particularly to switches adapted to be used in panel board constructions.

The invention is particularly directed to the method of mounting the cover plate in position on the switch but positively insulated from the switch and its supporting frame.

In former constructions the cover plates are not insulated from the switch frames and, in such cases, it i necessary to ground the switches. Such grounding of the switches or switch frames frequently causes the switches to are and burn up.

The main ob'ect is to provide a construc- 1 tion in which the cover plates are securely mounted and yet insulated from the switches and thenecessity for grounding the switches is obviated.

In order to accomplish this result, 1 provide a switch frame with insulating plates which. carry the necessary bushings for securing the cover plate in position'hut which insulate the cover plate from the switch and obviate the necessity for grounding the switch.

Fig. 1 is a front view of a cover plate and switch illustrating one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail edge view, partly in sec with a cover platc.

Fig. 3 is a side view and section of the structure shown in Fig. 2 but with the coverplate removed.

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the sepa rated insulating plates and the supporting frame.

Fig. 5 is a-plan view of a modified form of insulating plate.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view showing the connection of this form of plate to the frame.

As shown in the drawings the switch is of the toggle or lever type with an operating handle or lever 7, but the construction is s5 equally well adapted for use with other switches, for instance push. button switches.

In this construction there is a base plate 8', for instance, of sheet metal, to which is attached the central part of a bracket member 59 9 provided with supporting lugs 10 and 11 at opposite ends. The switch proper has a supporting frame or yoke 12 adapted to be supported 9n the lugs 10 and 11 and secured ac tion. showing one form of switch provided for the contact member 14;.

thereto in suitable manner, for instance, by

screws, bolts or rivets 13. The movable contact member 1 may be of any suitable construction adapted for operation as usual through handle 7 and a suitable toggle or by push buttons or the like.

T he stationary contacts 15, which ar connnonly termed high contacts are provided with feet, such as 16, suit-ably secured to the base plate or base 8, but insulated therefrom. In this panel board type of switch, each of the contacts 15 is electrically connected with a plate 17 adapted to be sup ported on a bus-bar, the foot of the contact being connected with the base 8 by means of rivet 19 which passes through an insulating plate 20 between the foot 16 and the plate 8 and through an insulating plate 21 between the plate 8 and the plate 17. Other stationary contact members 22 may be provided at the opposite end of the switch. In the present construction the plates 20 and 21 extend the full length of the switch. Contact 22 may be secured to a terminal plate 18 by a rivet 23.

In the present construction, the frame or yoke 12 has two side plates each provided with a pivot 24 to furnish pivotal support Each side plate is provided with spaced lugs 25 which ext%nd through openings 26 in an anchor pla e 27 of insulating material, preferably of insulating fibre, the plate being secured to the switch frame by riveting such lugs 25 so as to rigidly hold the plate in place. Mounted on the insulating plate 27 is another insulating plate 28 having openings 29 which register with openings in plate 27 to receive hollow rivets 30, the rivets being upset to perinanently secure the plates 27 and 28 together and to the switch frame as a unit.

The plates 27 and 28 are provided, of course, with registering openings 31 and 32 to accommodate the handle 7. v

Th cover or face plate 33 has an opening 34 for each switch handle. The cover plate may be secured to the switch by screws 35 passing through perforations in the cover plate and screwed into the hollow rivets 30.

The plate 28 covers the lugs 25 on the switch frame and insulates the switch frame from i 28 to the switch frame and co-operates with plate 28 and rivets 80 to forms. support for the cover plate 33 as Well as a positive means for insulating the cover plate from the switch frame or any part of the switch. in this construction it is not necessary to ground the switch as it is perfectly insulated.

The 'rnodified form oi insulating plate shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is a single plate 27 of approximately the same thickness as the two plates 27 and 28 shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This single plate is perforated to receive the switch operating handle 7, the lugs 25 of the switch frame and the bushings 39. The lugs 25' of the switch frame extend only part way through the holes in the plate 27 and are upset or headed over in the holes so that there is no possibility of contacting with'the cover plate 33. The bushings 30 are upset or riveted in corresponding holes in the plate 27 provided they are to he used but, in case the material of the plate is of a suitable character, the bushings 30 be emitted by piercing the plate with suitable holes and then threading" the holes to receive the cover securing screws 35.

While I have shown preferred einhodiments of the invention, it should be understood that various changes therefrom may he made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. The c nihination of a snap switch frame having side plates, an insulating top plate formed of hard fibre united to said side plates, and threaded bushings secured to said fibre top plate and providing seats for coverfastening screws.

22. A snap switch having side plates, an insulating top plate united to said side plates, and internally threaded oushings united to said. top plate and spaced away from said side plates i'or receiving coversecuring screws.

3. in a switch construction, switch operating means, a switch frame having lugs, an insulating plate secured to said frame by said lugs, 21- second insulating" plate overlying and secured to the first plate to shield said lugs, and means for securing cover plate to said insulating plates.

essors i. In a construction. of the character described, switch operating means, a switch frame having fastening lugsfanuinsulating plate secured to said. lugs, a second insulating plate secured to said first plate to 1 ielil the ends of said fastening lugs, and ii one for securing a (30"91 plate to said insulating plates.

In a construction of the character described, switch operating means, a switch frame having an extended upper portion adjacent said switch operating means, an insulating plate on said extended upper portion, lugs extending through said plate to fasten the same to said extended portion, a second insulating plate on the first plate and covering said fastening plugs, and means for securing a cover plate to said insulating plates.

6. In a construction of the character de scribed, a switch frame having projecting lugs, an insulating plate secured to said frame by said lugs, a second insulating plate on the first plate and covering said lugs,hol-- low rivets securing said plates together and threaded internally, a cover plate, screws passing through said cover plate and into said hollow rivets, and a switch handle errtcnrling through said insulating; plates and said cover plate.

7. a construction of the character de scribed, a switch frame, substantially flat insula'ting member of .tlhrous character, means for fastening said member on said 'rame inclui'iing lugs extending part way through and upset in said member, and a cover plate secured t said insulating inein-- her.

S. in a construction oi the chart. de-- scribed, a switch including a frame, a substantially fiat insulating member, means in eluding; devices extending part way through said member for securing said member on said frame, cove plate, and means tor fastening said cover plate to said insulating member at points spaced away said switch and said frame, fastening means including; bushings secured into said insulat in; member and screws through seic cover plate and seate in said bushings.

YES 

